Should I buy a property in the city with no parking? I have a car.

JackieChang · 10-08-2025 06:15PM #1

I've been filtering out properties with no parking for a while. That means filtering out 99% of properties for sale in the city in my budget.

Apparently i can get a parking permit. How feasible is this permit long term? Will I go insane driving around all the time trying to find a spot? I work remote, so I don't drive a lot. But I do need to drive as I have a child.

This would be my first home purchase. Have only rented before, with parking available.

DylanQuestion · 10-08-2025 07:20PM

Where in the city? It's probably okay to rely on parking permits in some places, but I imagine in the city centre it's tough. It might be cheaper to rent a car parking spot in a car park. I think they sell them at the car park on Little Hanover Street

JackieChang · 10-08-2025 07:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711917#Comment_123711917

Lots of places. But just as an example, Blarney street.

JackieChang · 10-08-2025 07:32PM

Or green street or evergreen road and all those areas around barrack Street.

Mannesmann · 10-08-2025 07:56PM

If in the centre I wouldn't. Even look for a place that might have a small garden you could convert?

lostinsuperfunk · 10-08-2025 08:29PM

Try to walk or drive around the area at different times of the day, and at weekends to observe the parking situation. Also, anywhere near UCC, the parking situation usually gets tighter during the college term. I'd say most places within 1km of the city centre would be quite difficult to find parking at any time.

lostinsuperfunk · 10-08-2025 08:41PM

Boards won't let me edit my comment, but I meant to add:

Consider how often you'll be driving and what time of day you are likely to be looking for parking. i.e. will you be driving to work every day for a 9-5 job? If you only drive infrequently or at weekends it might be a bit easier. Also have a look at the zoned parking area map, it's posted on boards somewhere. There are a few areas quite near the city centrewhich are not permit controlled, particularly on the north side.

Residents' permits are fairly easy to get nowadays (used to be near-impossible a few years ago).

Frostybrew · 11-08-2025 07:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123711938#Comment_123711938

Having lived in these areas, no problems getting parking after 7pm and before 8am. During the day, the most we had to drive around to find a spot was 5mins max. The council designate an area where you can park, which is usually several different streets; not just the street where you are living. These would be within a minute or two walk from your home.

There was only one incident where a car was damaged, and this was resolved. This was over a period of 8 years.

City centre living is amazing as you have everything within about 10 to 15mins walk. A bike is handy, as it's faster to navigate the city centre than with a car; especially during the day.

Rulmeq · 11-08-2025 07:07AM

If you got a place in the city centre, would you be able to get rid of the car? That might be an option worth considering (if you do occasional long trips where you need one, you could rent, or use go-car or similar). Obviously if you need the car all the time, that's not an option.

LambshankRedemption · 11-08-2025 07:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712594#Comment_123712594

This line from the OP confused me:

I don't drive a lot. But I do need to drive as I have a child.

They need to figure out how much exactly do they drive and weigh out the cost / benefit ratio.

Cyclingtourist · 11-08-2025 08:25AM

I live in what I consider the centre of Dublin about 100m outside the canals with on street parking outside my door. When I did have a car it cost €80 every two years (issued by DCC) to get a parking permit and a limited supply of scratch card type parking permits for use of visitors. Finding space to park was only very occasionally a problem.

Getting round the city is easier and less expensive on a bicycle but I do understand that for some a car is a near necessity.

paulpd · 11-08-2025 08:29AM

I'd be worried about going away. Where will the car be if you're on a 2 week holiday? Unless you have family you can leave it with while away.

iniscealtra · 11-08-2025 08:45AM

A friend of mine lives in town and rents a car when needed. Works out much cheaper for her. Nó parking worries, repairs, ncr , tax or insurance. Might be worth considering.

Cyclingtourist · 11-08-2025 08:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712742#Comment_123712742

If you have an on-street parking permit issued by DCC you can leave it parked on the street for as long as you like.

When I owned a car I went on holidays, left my car outside my door and it was still there when I came back.

iniscealtra · 11-08-2025 08:50AM

what do need the car for ?

Cyclingtourist · 11-08-2025 08:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712794#Comment_123712794

It's in the OP 'kids'.

Edit: Sorry, just see now this is about Cork city and I was posting about Dublin. My experience of city parking relates only to Dublin.

opus · 11-08-2025 09:31AM

I've lived in the city centre for years first on Cove St & now in Shandon & both of them had parking. Not sure why everyone thinks if you live in town you don't need a car? I don't use it to in the city at all but rather to visit relatives in West Cork & go to Kerry/Dublin for the w/end where I need a car while I'm there.

A friend lived on Nicholas St for ~7 years & didn't have a problem parking on Evergreen Road with driving to work & back during the week so definitely possible to park on the street with a permit but I'd guess you might have to search a bit during the day.

the beer revolu · 11-08-2025 11:41AM

I've lived in the Shandon area for years with a car. No problems getting parking - usually right outside the house.

If you are on narrow streets, you'll have to get used to getting knocks and scrapes on your car. It's just part of living in my area.

We are seriously considering getting rid of the car when it comes to the end of its feasible life.

JackieChang · 16-08-2025 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123712669#Comment_123712669

Random doctors visits and stuff. Including one trip to ER. She's 7 months old.

Also, I've been driving for the last 20 years. I'm not getting rid of the car.

notAMember · 18-08-2025 12:28PM

City center, you can rent car spaces in the multi-stories. Otherwise , parking permit.

I lived for years in cork city center without a car, with babies. It's about how you set up your life. Our doctor was within walking distance, and a taxi to hospital or southdoc (at the time) was never a problem. My family was within walking distance too. That's the handy part about a city, you don't need a car most of the time.

But I know Cork isn't set up very well for that, and if you're not comfortable with making that leap into unknown territory for you with a 7 month old, that makes sense too.

Should I buy a property in the city with no parking? I have a car.

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